Wednesday, October 27, 2010

I don't know why, but it's not as endearing.

I have one of those body leashes for cats (and ferrets and tiny dogs). I tried it on my cat and it just didn't happen. I basically just mopped the linoleum with their fur. I tried it outside, and they practically walked me.

I asked Victor, "So if I get a kitty stroller, will you walk them too?"

I knew from the beginning that my cat would be an apartment cat and I have no desire to take her out. The poor thing is always so scared when I have to take her to the vet or to my parents that I don't want to put her through that more often than it's necessary. She's quite happy watching the birdies from the inside :)

Cats are absolutely adorable, in harness and leash, stroller, or indoors! (dogs)? NEVER! My ex bought a harness and leash so we could let our cats experience snow. Let's just say it was not a roaring success. I still have it, in a drawer, here where it never snows. And my cats? Indoors only, safe, sound, and dry. ;)

I prefer being a housecat who never leaves the house. No leash for me, and I don't think I would like being put in a kitty stroller. I don't even think I would like it if you put wheels under the house and rolled it around.

My cat is walkable both on-leash and off. I discovered this one day when I was leaving my house and decided to let him out as well (he is an outdoor cat). I discovered that he follows me everywhere like a kitten follows its mother, whether or not I want him to. He also does well on a leash.

Then again, he was originally a stray who wandered into my house one day after I'd left my door open. Ex-strays and outdoor cats are quite different creatures than indoor cats. It's actually not that unusual for cats to follow their owners like this, if they are cats who are used to being outside.

I covet those kitty strollers but they're way too expensive for my budget. If I had the DIY skills I'd buy an old baby stroller for the frame, and strap the cat carrier to it. That way I'll be able to remove the cat carrier and fold up the frame, so it won't take up much space. My cat's vet is within walking distance of my home so I could walk there and back.

My cats have leashes and harnesses, but don't get out much. I was in an apartment, and let them roam (leashed, of course) on the balcony, which they enjoyed. But now that I've got a house and yard, they aren't as interested. Plus, my non-smart Siamese tried to hang herself by leaping off the deck with her harness/leash attached. Yikes.

When I got my first cat (as a kid), my parents bought me a snuggli-type thing for her, and we used to strap her in and cart her along on walks with the dog. She loved it - even in winter, I would wear it under my coat and let her peak her head out.

I actually walk my kitty very sucessfully. He has a harness which is more secure than a lead you attach to their collar. It may be because he doesn't like being outside without us but although he walks he doesn't drag.

He was however hilarious the first time we put the harness on him. We think he didn't like how it felt around his tummy as he first tried to walk backwards out of it, then he went stiff as anything and fell over like he was playing dead. We just let him be, ignored him because we knew it wasn't hurting him and after half an hour of being silly he just accepted it and we had no problems since then. Now he asks for walks when it is sunny and warm only. He got out of the house when we moved once, we left the bathroom window open in the new house and he had gotten 3 feet from the house and was sat there crying out because he didn't know where we where and why we werent with him and he wouldn't budge until we where there with him and then he just went back inside and hid.

I tried the harness with my cat. didn't take. At some point it did, so we went downstairs.

He took a peek at the world outside, saw a car drive by, and I could not let go of the leash fast enough for him to frantically run back upstairs. So no walks for us (instead he just attempts to dash outside when I get back home)

I started training my oldest cat to a harness and leash when he was 4 weeks old (he was an orphan-yes it was too soon to be away from mom) He really got used to it and loved going out on the leash, but when her turned about 7 he stopped really having the patience to go to events (picnics, Renaissance faires, street fairs) and just wants to stay in the yard or around the block. At 17 he still likes going out, but not crowds. But he is never allowed out without the leash on, just to be safe. It is nice to hear that someone else has wanted to do it. My other 3 cats were too old when I got them and never would get used to the leash.

I started out Cali as a tiny kitten, as soon as she got big enough for the harness. Now she loves riding in the car and visiting the campus where I work. I hope to get her certified as a therapy animal soon.